Researchers at ETH Zurich have introduced a new kind of pixel that could reshape how screens and cameras work together. Called a Fourier pixel, the device is designed to both emit light and analyze incoming light, opening the door to smarter optical systems.
Unlike conventional pixels, which usually perform only one task, this design can handle more of light's hidden information. It reads not just brightness, but also phase and polarization, giving it a much richer view of the light field.
How It Works
The pixel is built on a finely sculpted surface with nanometer-scale wave patterns. When light reaches the chip, it is converted into a surface wave that travels across the material and then scatters back out in a controlled way. By shaping how these waves overlap, the device can form patterns, beams, or images.
In tests, the system produced vortex beams, projected ETH logos in different colors, focused light into precise spots, and even encoded two images using different polarizations. It also worked in reverse, sensing phase and polarization from incoming light.
Why It Matters
The research team, led by David Norris of ETH Zurich's Optical Materials Engineering Laboratory, sees potential in adaptive optics, holographic displays, optical communication, and quantum information processing. The current version is still small, but the concept suggests a future where displays and sensors become far more integrated.
As the technology scales into larger pixel arrays, it could support devices that do more than show images or capture them individually. It may help create systems that actively interpret and respond to light in real time, bringing a new level of intelligence to optical hardware. This development could help define the next generation of visual and sensing technologies.